2021 Greystone Pinot Noir Organic, Waipara

A finely detailed perfume of red plum, violets, pot pourri, spice and cigar box unfurls in layers around a core of coulis fruit. The silky, energetic palate is elegant with long, lingering flavours of plum, blackberry, olive and juniper, set against a canvas of fine, sinewy tannin and saline acidity which creates wonderful tension. Fairly concentrated right to the finish, this is still relaxing into its skin and will develop positively in the mid-term. Drink 2025–2035.

93 points Stephen Wong for The Real Review, April 2025

This Greystone Pinot Noir is drawn from estate vines planted in 2004 in the Omihi Hills, an area of Canterbury that has long been recognised for its excellent potential for premium wines. The vineyards are certified organic and planted on limestone substrates.

The 2021 season was warm and dry with an early start, producing very even ripening and unhurried picking decisions. Each batch was soaked at ambient temperatures before wild fermentation, hand plunged daily, then pressed to French oak barriques for 16 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

Deep crimson, the resultant is a wine of real depth and structure, the limestone signature recognisable in the floral and mineral notes on the layered and complex nose. The palate is taut and mouth-filling with fine tannins and persistent length.

There is real cellaring potential here. Have a bit of patience, and maybe open from 2028 onwards.

Keep things reasonably restrained on the plate with seared duck or braised rabbit.